FabDigitFabDigit

PHBV NF30

Reinforced grade

also Biopol

NF30 = natural-fibre / wood-flour filled

Cost-reduced, fully bio-based compound for rigid moulded goods where surface finish is secondary.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the NF30 condition

Other PHBV grades and fills

PHBV is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at PHBV.

Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Impact-modified / PBAT-PLA blended toughened compound
Select when secondary-crystallization embrittlement must be avoided — bags, flexible film, tough thin-wall parts.—2012055 Shore D
High valerate
Choose when ductility, film toughness and a lower processing temperature matter more than stiffness.—212068 Shore D
NF30This page
Natural-fibre / wood-flour filled
Cost-reduced, fully bio-based compound for rigid moulded goods where surface finish is secondary.—252—
Nucleated / talc-filled
Use for faster crystallization, shorter injection cycles and better dimensional stability in moulded parts.—264—
Low valerate
Pick for maximum stiffness, heat resistance and barrier; accept brittleness and narrow processing window.—324—

What is PHBV NF30?

PHBV NF30 is PHBV in the NF30 grade — cost-reduced, fully bio-based compound for rigid moulded goods where surface finish is secondary. PHBV NF30 has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 3.5 GPa (0.508 Msi). PHBV NF30 has a density of 1.28 g/cm³ (0.0462 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F).

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 3.5 GPa (0.508 Msi), better than 83% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 95% of polymer grades
  • Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.5%, worse than 91% of polymer grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 60/100, worse than 89% of polymer grades

PHBV NF30 properties

Typical room-temperature values for PHBV NF30; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PHBV reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical6

PHBV NF30 has a density of 1.28 g/cm³ (0.0462 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 2°C (36 °F).

Density1.28 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
Melting Temperature (Tm)155°C311 °F
Glass Transition (Tg)2°C36 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)1.5%
Water Absorption (Saturation)1%
Refractive Index1.5

Mechanical12

PHBV NF30 has a yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 3.5 GPa (0.508 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus3.5 GPa0.51 Msi
Shear Modulus0.65 GPa0.09 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.35
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)25 MPa3.6 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)25 MPa3.6 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Compressive Strength45 MPa6.5 ksi
Flexural Strength42 MPa6.1 ksi
Flexural Modulus3.8 GPa0.55 Msi
Izod Impact, Notched20 J/m0.37 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D75 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R95 HRR

Thermal11

PHBV NF30 is rated for continuous service to 95°C (203 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 100 µm/m·K (55.6 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,600 J/kg·K0.38 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)100 µm/m·K55.6 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)95°C203 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa125°C257 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa60°C140 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)140°C284 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB (not flame retardant; drips and burns)
Limiting Oxygen Index21%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)120°C248 °F

Electrical5

PHBV NF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength22 kV/mm559 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)3
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.01
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 89% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.

Corrosion ResistanceGood60/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceFair40/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to oils, fats, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and dilute acids; attacked by chlorinated solvents (dissolves in chloroform/dichloromethane), hot alkali and prolonged hot water (hydrolysis); biodegrades in compost, soil and marine media.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PHBV NF30 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 98% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PHBV NF30's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (35/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Fair35/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Mold Shrinkage0.8%
Melt Flow Rate10 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)165°C329 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)55°C131 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PHBV NF30

Is PHBV easy to machine?

Machines like a brittle acrylic-grade thermoplastic — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and air cooling; avoid heat build-up above ~120 °C and support thin sections to prevent chipping.

Can PHBV be welded?

Hot-plate, ultrasonic, impulse and heat sealing all work within a narrow 150–180 °C window; solvent bonding is possible with chloroform-type solvents but rarely acceptable for food/medical use.

Can PHBV be formed, bent or molded?

Dry pellets 2–4 h at 70–80 °C, keep melt below ~185 °C and residence time short (thermal degradation to crotonic acid), mould at 45–65 °C and expect slow crystallization — nucleated grades cut cycle time markedly.

What surface finishes work on PHBV?

Takes in-mould texture well; paints/inks need corona or primer, and parts should be conditioned a few days before assembly because post-mould crystallization increases stiffness and shrinkage.

PHBV chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) unitsvalerate comonomer content sets Tm, stiffness and ductility2 – 147
nucleating agent (talc / boron nitride)compound-dependent; 0 in pure resin0 – 202
plasticizer / processing aidcitrate esters, lubricants in commercial compounds0 – 102
3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) unitsmol% of copolymer backbone; balance of chain≥ 86 (balance)—

PHBV NF30 — frequently asked

What is PHBV NF30 used for?

PHBV NF30 is typically used for compostable food packaging, cosmetic containers, coated paper/board and biodegradable films. In short: tougher than pure PHB; fully biodegradable polyester; narrow thermal processing window.

What is the yield strength of PHBV NF30?

PHBV NF30 has a typical yield strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) and a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 74% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is PHBV NF30 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Machines like a brittle acrylic-grade thermoplastic — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and air cooling; avoid heat build-up above ~120 °C and support thin sections to prevent chipping.

Can PHBV NF30 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Hot-plate, ultrasonic, impulse and heat sealing all work within a narrow 150–180 °C window; solvent bonding is possible with chloroform-type solvents but rarely acceptable for food/medical use.

What surface finishes work on PHBV NF30?

Takes in-mould texture well; paints/inks need corona or primer, and parts should be conditioned a few days before assembly because post-mould crystallization increases stiffness and shrinkage.

Can PHBV NF30 be formed, bent or molded?

Dry pellets 2–4 h at 70–80 °C, keep melt below ~185 °C and residence time short (thermal degradation to crotonic acid), mould at 45–65 °C and expect slow crystallization — nucleated grades cut cycle time markedly.

What is the maximum service temperature of PHBV NF30?

PHBV NF30 is rated for continuous use to about 95°C (203 °F), and briefly to 120°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ENMAT Y1000P / Y3000P PHBV resin data — Ningbo Tianan Biologic Materials (2023)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol. 21 / Engineered Materials Handbook — biodegradable polyesters — ASM International (2001)
  3. EN 13432 Packaging — requirements for compostable packaging — CEN (2000)
  4. CAMPUS / Prospector PHA-PHBV compound entries — CWFG / UL Solutions (2024)
  5. PHA/PHBV (2025)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.